Food Distribution: Monday 5:30pm-7:30pm, Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday 10am-12pm
Board of Directors
Heath Watson - Interim President
Mike Bowman - Vice President
Rebecca Hart - Treasurer
Kristina Garcia - Secretary
Teresa Williams - Director
Terri Davis-Scully - Director
Pantry Support
Joe Mackin - Co-Founder & Advisor
JoAnne Fell - Executive Director
Kyle Mann - Pantry Operations Coordinator
Julianne DiBlasi - Marketing Consultant
John Tornga - Dunedin City Commissioner Liaison
Pantry News
April 2022 - Joe Mackin's Retirement
On April 1st, 2022, Co-Founder Joe Mackin will retire from his service as the President of the Board of Directors at Dunedin Cares Food Pantry. Joe opened the doors of Dunedin Cares with co-founder, beloved Ed Hughes, in November of 2015 and just a handful of volunteers in a 600 square foot back room of the Faith Lutheran Church. As the word got out locally to those in need, the guest numbers rose steadily each month, pushing the Pantry to find more space. Joe and Ed worked tirelessly with the community to secure the current Pantry building, a larger, modular space in April of 2018.
When Ed passed in 2019, Joe kept the mission alive as the President, building the volunteer base, community contacts, outreach programs, and guest relationships that make Dunedin Cares the special place it is today.
In March of 2020, the pandemic presented Dunedin Cares with real challenges- food distribution procedures that were safe for both volunteers and guests, the sharp rise in need, and limited quantities of necessities available. Joe was steadfast and instrumental in his efforts to continue to allow the Pantry to provide for all in need.
Joe also became the unofficial Santa Clause for many local families by creating and holding an annual Holiday Toy Drive for guests with children. His leadership and uncanny ability to make miracles happen demonstrated itself year after year with an abundance of donations from far and wide, creating happier holidays for thousands of our young neighbors.
It didn't matter if it was collecting food, building shelves, helping guests, or speaking about the Pantry to lawmakers or organizations, Joe was always working to make the community a better place.
Thankfully, Joe will still be part of the Dunedin Cares Pantry Family as a mentor, co-founder, and volunteer as it continues to grow and provide help to those in need.
Our Founder - Edward (ED) Hughes
Dunedin Cares Founder & First President
It is with heavy hearts that the Dunedin Cares Family said our final good byes to our beloved leader. Ed Hughes, Dunedin Cares Founder and President passed away July 25, 2019 at the age of 80. Ed and his wife, Grace moved to Florida 14 years ago from Long Island, New York and immediately became involved with the community.
In addition to being an active member of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Dunedin, Ed became involved in numerous volunteer activities through out our county. Ed’s strong determination in the fight to alleviate food insecurity in our community guided him through the lengthy process to establish Dunedin Cares Inc.’s Food Pantry in 2015.
This past May, Ed was honored at a luncheon introducing him as one of the 2019 Inductee to Dunedin’s Senior Hall of Frame for his contributions to the City of Dunedin and it’s residents.
Even as his time approached, Dunedin Cares was in his thoughts, conferring on grants and requesting in lieu of flowers, a memorial donation be made to Dunedin Cares Inc. (P.O. Box 1435, Dunedin FL 34697).
Ed’s altruistic attitude never stopped.
Ed is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Grace; three daughters, Grace (Michael) Sherman, Mary (Keith) Edrehi and Elizabeth (Michael) Separ; brother, Joseph Hughes of New York and eight grandchildren.
Ed was a leader, mentor, teacher and father figure to the volunteers at Dunedin Cares. His towering presence and over sized grin will be missed by so many at the pantry but certainly not forgotten.
Your guidance will be missed Ed but we will continue your work until hopefully the job gets done.